Mini-series earlier on DVD/VHS than on TV?

[Kalliope]

It's quite probable. From the new issue of "Dreamwatch Magazine" (#113): "The Farscape mini-series looks set to air in syndication, but may receive a DVD and video release prior to its TV debut"!

[chri-baby]

its extremely likely. It would be better for me if it did being a non US resident but I dont think it wiuld be very benefitial for the future of Farscape. so I hope it finds a home on the boob tube.

[La Bomba]

I agree, chri-baby. Altough the greedy 'Scaper inside me is screaming "Now! Now! Give me it now!", I think it would kill the TV ratings if it came out on DVD first. I hope, for the sake of the future of Farscape, that they don't go that route.

[SilentSpace]

I think this would be cool. The US market isn't the only market in the world, and they probably have European TV distribution already stitched up. There's been quite a lot of discussion about how DVD sales are the new wild card which could change the balance of power in the entertainment industry, so although it might be risky for Henson to say 'frell you' to the US Networks, its less dangerous than it used to be. I'm not sure if the Dreamwatch article is accurate now - the lack of an official announcement suggests negotiations are still going on. But it's probably an accurate reflection of Henson's frame of mind when they gave the miniseries the green light.

I think it would be great if the mini series is not tied to a US Network, at least during the production phase when there's a chance of network interference. If this is the route they take, it wouldn't be about getting TV ratings, it would be declaring that TV ratings are irrelevant - effectively moving a TV show into the creative space currently only occupied by movies. Farscape could be the start of a mini-revolution - the poster-child for creative people declaring independence from the emotionally retarded bubbleheads who run the US TV Networks. (hey, I can dream, can't I?)

Silentspace

[Digger]

I think that if it were going direct to DVD Henson would not have postponed the announcement in November. At least I hope so. I think that route would bode ill for getting more Farscape. It would be awfully hard for them to recoup what will probably be $7-$10 Million in production costs just in DVD sales and syndication fees. They need a production partner who will broadcast the miniseries and then be able to recoup their money will advertising dollars.

[nightmare42]

I am selfish:

HELL YEAH!

That would be great for everyone outside the US!:joy:

[vhsiv]

There's both some good and bad in there - the staggered "Volume X.x" vs. Box Set release makes it difficult to gauge the sales success of any of the Farscape DVDs, since they tend to overlap, unlike the Box Set-only release of many other shows. A single stand-alone release might give both retailers and networks a good, solid idea about the strength of the franchise.

OTOH, the BBC has probably already placed their order for the miniseries, even if the American broadcasters are being shy about it...

[BritAngie]

Originally posted by Kalliope
It's quite probable. From the new issue of "Dreamwatch Magazine" (#113): "The Farscape mini-series looks set to air in syndication, but may receive a DVD and video release prior to its TV debut"!

Well as Dreamwatch probably has a long lead in time for printing like most mags then this info is not new and more than likely supposition on Dreamwatch's part I reckon...but that's just my take on it..

[Under A Dying Sun]

UGH. NO. i want it on HBO.

[JrMissToughChick]

I would love it on DVD

~JrMTC~

[who45]

Originally posted by La Bomba
I agree, chri-baby. Altough the greedy 'Scaper inside me is screaming "Now! Now! Give me it now!", I think it would kill the TV ratings if it came out on DVD first. I hope, for the sake of the future of Farscape, that they don't go that route.

I have to agree. I would love to have it on DVD asap, but the more people that have the DVD first, some may not tune in when it airs. That would not be good thing.

[VBKatLou]

Originally posted by SilentSpace

I think it would be great if the mini series is not tied to a US Network, at least during the production phase when there's a chance of network interference. If this is the route they take, it wouldn't be about getting TV ratings, it would be declaring that TV ratings are irrelevant - effectively moving a TV show into the creative space currently only occupied by movies. Farscape could be the start of a mini-revolution - the poster-child for creative people declaring independence from the emotionally retarded bubbleheads who run the US TV Networks. (hey, I can dream, can't I?)

Silentspace

I agree Silentspace. And if the miniseries DVD sells well, then what would stop them from making more episodes/minis and putting them on DVDs and VHS (I would do both). They could just frell the networks altogether and come up with their own stories without any network interference. Now that would be cool. :aok:

[jcrocker8]

$10 million / $25 per dvd = 400,000 copies to sell. Thats a big number. Minus the production and distribution costs of the dvd its probably more like $15 or less per dvd going to Henson, et al. I am sure they have done the math or they wouldnt have fronted the money but straight to DVD, big gamble.

[Antrobus]

One line of thought would be that they put the mini out direct to DVD and all the fans waiting for the ending buy it.

But the bigger issue would be that Henson would have a completed series to sell into syndication once SciFi gets if slimy fingers off from it.

Everyone would come out a winner!

[Twich]

You don't want it on DVD first if you want a network interested. Why on earth would a network pick it up when people already OWN it? I do freelance marketing for a small motion picture company. They tried something similar. They did a DVD release and THEN put it into theaters. Didn't work. Didn't fly. Bad idea.

We want a network to be interested so we have a place to air more Farscape. I personally believe it would be not a good thing to have it on DVD first. I wanna watch it on TV!!!!!!! And TELL people they can see it on tv! And have a NETWORK that says "Hell yeah we want Scapers."

There is simply no reason for a network to air a program that's already been released on DVD. Where's the money in it? We rarely see "Direct to DVD" movies on television anywhere. It would be the same thing.

My hope is to find a "home" for Farscape. Not just a "fix". A home.

[SabaceanBabe]

Originally posted by Twich
You don't want it on DVD first if you want a network interested. Why on earth would a network pick it up when people already OWN it? I do freelance marketing for a small motion picture company. They tried something similar. They did a DVD release and THEN put it into theaters. Didn't work. Didn't fly. Bad idea.

We want a network to be interested so we have a place to air more Farscape. I personally believe it would be not a good thing to have it on DVD first. I wanna watch it on TV!!!!!!! And TELL people they can see it on tv! And have a NETWORK that says "Hell yeah we want Scapers."

There is simply no reason for a network to air a program that's already been released on DVD. Where's the money in it? We rarely see "Direct to DVD" movies on television anywhere. It would be the same thing.

My hope is to find a "home" for Farscape. Not just a "fix". A home.

Amen and Hell Yeah, Twich! And the sooner Farscape has a new home, the better.

By all means, push those DVDs that are already out their for all you're worth, but for the mini to go to DVD first would be suicide for Farscape's future on television.

[vhsiv]

Originally posted by Twich
We rarely see "Direct to DVD" movies on television anywhere. It would be the same thing. That's the only thing Skiffy seems to show these days - stuff that's been sitting in a can somehwere: Most of their 'original' movies and 'original' television series were produced somewhere else, by someone else for straight-to-video presentation...

[Twich]

Yup, but we all know Skiffy's feelings on Farscape. They MAY surprise us, but I'm not holding my breath.

I wish I could see them saying "We listened to the fans and..." and taking a "triumphant stance" on it. I doubt that will happen. I sense that we are more of an embarrassment to them than they expected and that any acknowledgement we receive will be grudgingly given.

Then again, if Skiffy DOES pick up the mini-series, I'll be the first one to suggest a big old gift basket and bucket of ice cream or cookies or whatever. I've been saying since day one they would be the EASIEST place to get Farscape back. And if it paid off for them, they might BRING it back. After all, Farscape was *their* original series.

It's one of the reasons I've pushed so hard to NOT be rude to them. Don't want to burn even possible bridges. Especially with new management.

Anyway...that's my convoluted mess of thought for the day.

[Digger]

Then again, if Skiffy DOES pick up the mini-series, I'll be the first one to suggest a big old gift basket and bucket of ice cream or cookies or whatever. I've been saying since day one they would be the EASIEST place to get Farscape back. And if it paid off for them, they might BRING it back. After all, Farscape was *their* original series. I quite agree Twich, but it seems to me that if they are having trouble deciding to make a series commitment to BSG when it got a 3.5 average rating for the two nights, then even if the Farscape miniseries did show on skiffy it would have almost no chance of continuing. I can see the FS mini getting a 3.5 if properly promoted, but the folks at skiffy would think back to the 1.3's it was getting in Season 4 and decide it wasn't worth the risk to make more. That's why I want a new home for the show. One that understands it, and likes it, and will give it the promotion it needs and deserves in order for it to grow. Somthing skiffy gave up on in Season 4.

[oorat]

funny thing is digger, had they promoted farscape has much as they promoted bsg, perhaps the ratings wouldve been hire. they promoted bsg everywhere, and season four of farscape, unless you were a fan who check the net all the time to see when it was coming back on, most people seem to think the show had been cancelled in the first place, not only was there no advertising, but it was moved to a new time, and no reruns were aired between seasons. they promoted the hell out of bsg. net ads everywhere. games, pics, you name it, they were talking about it.

[Twich]

And they re-ran it HOW many times to keep people caught up? Same thing with Taken. They became the "BSG" and "Taken" network when those things were on. Airing the show five times or more during a 24 hour period makes it CONVENIENT for people to catch up on.